Graphite rod precursors for isotopically pure fullerenes and diamond Original Research Article

Graphite tubes of 12C or 13C carbon are made by cracking isotopically pure 12CH4 or 13CH4, respectively, at subatmospheric pressures on a Ta tube that is Joule heated to 2100 °C and under a critical, predetermined mechanical tension. Conversion efficiencies of methane to graphite of up to 80% are routinely obtained. The density of the graphite tubes varies from 96 to 99% of the theoretical density of graphite. Following conversion of Ta to TaC, pyrolitic graphite deposits at a rate of up to 700 microns/hour with its basal plane parallel to the TaC substrate. When the graphite deposit reaches the required thickness, the assembly is cooled to room temperature. The anomalous negative thermal expansion of graphite in its basal plane allows the mechanical removal of the TaC inner tube from the graphite tube to leave an isotopically pure graphite tube. In addition to isotopically pure graphite, graphite of other intermediate isotopic compositions are made by using suitable mixtures of 12C and 13C methane gases.